Improvement in portable bath-tubs



A. SELIG SBERG.

PORTABLE BATH-TUB. No. 177,287. Patented May 9,1876. I

Wbzesss ".PETERS. PHOTO-UTHOGRAPHER. WASHINGYON. D C,

PATE T et ARNOLD SELIGSBERG, on \NEW YORK, N. .Y.

IMPROVEMENT VIN PORTABLE BATH-Tues;

Specification forming part of Letters Patent 0 [77,287, dated May 9, 1876; applicationfiled November 11, 1875.

To all whom tt may concern:

Be it known that I, ARNOLD SELIGSBERG, of New York, in the county and State of New York, have invented an Improvement in Portable Bath-Tubs; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, .clear, and exact description of the same.

My invention relates to abath-tub, of novel, cheap, and durable construction, which may be readily adjusted for use, and as readily folded and packed in a small space, so as to be carried by hand like an ordinary carpetbag or satchel, and, when desired, so arranged as to constitute a receptacle for clothing and other articles, and thus serve as a substitute for such carpet-bag or satchel, and constitute what may be termed a carpet-bag bath-tub.

The bath-tub is made of any light and flexible water-proof material, such as sheet-rubber or rubber-coated fabric, which will enable the tub to hold water when arranged for use, and allow it to be folded and packed so as to occupy small space, and be readily and easily carriedin one hand. Itis provided with braces, which preserve the proper outline of the up- 'per edge of the tub when arranged for use,

but which may be inclosed in the tub when it is folded and packed. It is also provided with detachable vertical props for supporting it in proper shape and position when in use, certain of said props being furnished with means for connecting them directly to the braces, thus forming one continuous line of bracing. The tub may be provided with a waste-pipe or tube for conducting oif the water, and may also be furnished with an air cushion or pillow for supporting the head of the occupant.

When not in use, the tub is folded, and packed in a small compass, and may have applied to it an ordinary shawl-strap, by means of which it 'may be easily carried in the hand.

Figure 1 in the accompanying drawing represents the tub folded, and provided with a strap, such as is commonly known as a shawlstrap, and used for carrying packages by hand. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the tub in position for use. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal vertical section of the same. Figs. 4, 5, and 6 are detail views.

The tub A is made of lightflexible waterproof material of any suitable description.

One of the braces .extends from the head of the tub toward the middle of each side, and the other brace extends in like manner from the foot of the tub, so that the ends of one brace do not meet the ends of the other one. The braces maybe either solid or tubular; but if solid for the greater part of their length, their extreme ends are tubular, or provided with sockets for facilitating the connection therewith of the vertical side props or supporting devices, each of which consists of a v rigid post, 0, and a cross-head, 0 which may be connected to said posts by a flexible con-- nection, which, as shown herein, may consist of tubing, bent over toward the inside of the tub in the shape ofa goose-neck, c. When in use the posts 0 are held in place by means of loops, keepers, or pockets d on the flexible tub, and their connections with the braces B are made by providing either the cross-head or the braces with terminal sockets for the reception of the ends of the other. The crosshead 0 and the braces B B thus combine to form one continuous line of bracing.

When not in use, the flexible connection allows the prop to be bent so as to be inside the tub when folded.

The post and cross-head may be of wood, metal, rubber, or any other material which will serve the desired purpose.

For supporting the head of the tub I may employ a removable upright prop, E, consisting of a rigid bar or strip, of any suitable material, held in place by loops or keepers or pockets 6 on the flexible tub.

A similar prop may be applied to the foot of the tub, if found necessary.

A waste pipe or tube, F, is provided for conducting the water away after use, and this tube is furnished with a stopper, f. An air packed cushion or pill0W,G, maybe provided forsup porting the .headof the occupant, bein g iab tached to the tub in any suitable manner.

A bath-tub constructed and arranged as herein described posesses many advantages. It is light, cheap, and durable.

carried by hand or placed out of thewaywhenq;

not in use. It may be conveniently carried by travelers with the same facility as other light portab'l'e baggage or packages,'and it affords ready means for bathing ataj'ny time in any place where water can be '0btained"i1"1" any manner. It may be used in a sick-room,

and removed after use, and may be easily car ried from one-roomtoanbther; Itispartieu- I larly advantageous'to travlersand tourists; g and What I claim as newianddesi're to secure by LettersPatent, is-- p 1. The combination, with: a flexible bath- .ftubyof bow-shaped orcnrved-r head. and Ifoot braces B B. the posts or props G O, and crossheads!) 0, substantially as herein described.

2. The combination, with the posts or props .0. U and cross-heads O O, of the flexible connecti'onsc; as shown and described, for the purpose set forth.

, 3.-The"combination,-with the flexible folding'tub'A'and its bow shaped head-brace B, of the head-prop E, arranged as shown and described, for the purpose specified. V

4. Thecombin'ation, with the flexible folding tub A and its head-brace B, of the air cushion or pillow G, substantially as herein described.

ARNoIm snn-iesBERG.

Witnesses? A HENRY 1; BROWN; BENJAMIN W. Herman: 

